Inspired by wild and grassroots Florida, Cindy Hackney composes and performs songs about the breath-taking beauty of the Everglades environment, local culture and the heartbreaking loss of both.

You might call her genre folk with a dash of country and pinch of Celtic.

She calls it "Sawgrass."

Cindy has lived in Florida for 31 years, and got her start playing around the campfire at the old family hunting camp in the Picayune Strand. She has played local venues such as the Rod and Gun Club in Everglades City, JT's Island Grill and Gallery in Chokoloskee, North Carolina Outward Bound in Everglades City, the Florida Folk Festival in White Springs, and many environmental and community events and fundraisers between Everglades City and Sanibel Island.

For 4 years, Cindy has organized the performers for Corkscrew Samp's After-hours programs, and performed her own original songs for events.

Her song "Gator in a Slough," from her first CD, took third place in the Will McLean Festival's "Best New Florida Song" contest in 2001.

Our purpose is to entertain and delight you with juicy musical tidbits, pix, new songs, memories of recent gigs, and announcements for upcoming events. Please know we NEVER want to invade your inbox with unwanted content, so PLEASE feel free to unsubscribe at any time.Phone: 239 642 7462 | Email: JRobert@JRobert.net Web:JRobert.netMangrove Music Studios

Since then, Andy’s musical career has spanned over 25 years, more than 3000 concerts and performances nationwide, 4 albums and hundreds of television and radio appearances.

Andy has performed on stage with groups such as Chicago, Spyra Gyra, Firefall, Hall and Oates, Don McLean and the Spinners.

In his own recording studio he has created soundtracks and scores for numerous television, radio and movie projects. His most recent works include the soundtrack for the PBS Special Florida’s Historic Lighthouses and the motion pictures "Captiva" and "Jericho".

Summer Songwriter Showcase at the Marco Players Theater is Produced and directed by JRobert Marco Island's own "Marco Music Man."

Celebrate the music of Florida, Marco Island, the Everglades and the 10,000 Islands, JRobert's own brand of Floribbean Fusion Music, enjoy performance reviews, CD and MP3 offerings, announcements, upcoming charity events, and the newest products and services available from Mangrove Music StudiosSTAY TUNED! click on J.Robert on Facebook

This Week's

Songwriter Jam

- featuring -

Cindy Hackney

Alan Bradford

Capt Jac

Bruce MacKay

J.Robert

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◙ Florida native based in St. Petersburg, Peter B. Gallagher has been taking photographs, writing stories and songs about Florida, since 1967.

◙ An award-winning journalist and freelance writer, Pete has been active in Florida preservation since he graduated from the U of Florida in 1972.

◙ From his landmark "Vanishing Florida" column in the St. Petersburg Times to his investigative work that freed migrant farm-worker James Richardson from jail (after being wrongfully convicted for murdering his 7 children) to his work exposing the tragedy of Rosewood, the plight of the endangered Florida Panther, and his expose on unethical state government permitting that allowed the destruction of the world’s oldest aboriginal canoes (all three nominated for Pultizers; the Richardson expose won the prestigious Robert F. Kennedy Award), he has fought for truth and sanity in Florida environmental/cultural issues. He has spent more than 20 years working for Chief Jim Billie at the Seminole Tribe of Florida, involved in Tribal communications and producing large entertainment events (including the DNS powwow series, Fire On The Swamp and the 100,000 guest Phish NYE 2000 show

◙ Pete was winner of the first Will McLean Poetry Contest, and is a two-time winner in the Live-Arts Peninsula Foundation’s “Floridian” songwriting contest.

◙ He managed the comeback and career of blues singer Mary McClain (1981 - 1991), and was writer/producer on her film “Diamond Teeth Mary.”

◙ Pete is co-host of the WMNF Florida Folk Radio Show and co-host of weekly Florida Music Nights at Old Key West Bar & Grill and Mad Beach Fish House .

◙ In 2010, Pete was awarded the Fellow Man and Mother Earth Award by the Stetson Kennedy Foundation

◙ He is currently Special Projects Writer for the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Vice President of Friends of Jack Kerouac's House, Inc. and a Contributing Writer for Freedom magazine .

Summer Songwriter Showcase at the Marco Players Theater is Produced and directed by JRobert Marco Island's own "Marco Music Man."

Celebrate the music of Florida, Marco Island, the Everglades and the 10,000 Islands, JRobert's own brand of Floribbean Fusion Music, enjoy performance reviews, CD and MP3 offerings, announcements, upcoming charity events, and the newest products and services available from Mangrove Music StudiosSTAY TUNED! click on J.Robert on Facebook

Our purpose is to entertain and delight you with juicy tidbits, pix, new songs, memories of recent gigs, and announcements for upcoming events. Please know we NEVER want to invade your inbox with unwanted content, so PLEASE feel free to unsubscribe at any time.

“A boy growin’ up in the heartland, surrounded by acres of grain.” So goes the lyric from one of the songs on Captn Jac’s new album. As the grandson of a Midwest farmer and son of a small town construction worker, he spent his youth learning how to plant crops and build homes. By the time he’d turned 18, he decided on a different chosen career. Music was to be the driving force in his life. Since those early days, he has performed as a musician and entertainer in many styles of music. He has played for crowds large and small all over the United States. He attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music and performed on master recording sessions in New York, Memphis, and Nashville, TN. The years spent in school and on the road finally lead him to discover his own voice as a songwriter. In 2006 during a visit to the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, he was inspired to begin writing the songs that would eventually become the ‘Livin On The Hard’ album. Released in 2010 by Pilothouse Music, it has been well received in concert and is widely available on most all the Internet music outlets. These days, the Captn and his “Crew” are performing in Florida playing music from the album as well as the “Gulf and Western”, “Trop Rock” and “Conch Country” sounds of other artists. When the Captn is not performing, he loves sailing, diving, and spending time in the Florida Keys.

Our purpose is to entertain and delight you with juicy musical tidbits, pix, new songs, memories of recent gigs, and announcements for upcoming events. Please know we NEVER want to invade your inbox with unwanted content, so PLEASE feel free to unsubscribe at any time.Phone: 239 642 7462 | Email: JRobert@JRobert.net Web:JRobert.netMangrove Music Studios

Summer Songwriter Showcase at the Marco Players Theater is Produced and directed by JRobert Marco Island's own "Marco Music Man."

Celebrate the music of Florida, Marco Island, the Everglades and the 10,000 Islands, JRobert's own brand of Floribbean Fusion Music, enjoy performance reviews, CD and MP3 offerings, announcements, upcoming charity events, and the newest products and services available from Mangrove Music StudiosSTAY TUNED! click on J.Robert on Facebook

Gator Nate Martinis one of the most creative voices to come out of the Glades!

I've known Nate since he was a young man growing up on Marco Island.

His music and lyrics are jumping with vital energy and mesmerizing presence.

Please come join us this coming Monday July 17th

Guest Songwriters will be...

Joerey Ortiz

Carlene Thissen

Peter Erik Benson

Our purpose is to entertain and delight you with juicy tidbits, pix, new songs, memories of recent gigs, and announcements for upcoming events. Please know we NEVER want to invade your inbox with unwanted content, so PLEASE feel free to unsubscribe at any time.

Roy Schneider is a singer-songwriter in the grandest tradition of Steve Earle,Lucinda Williams,Guy Clark, and Lyle Lovett, but his voice, songwriting skill, stagecraft, and instrumental talent are all his own. Together, the result is like a vibrant jubilee singing out on the banks of the Mississippi River. His gift for blending Southern-influenced folk, blues, country, and rock into a seamless genre with his own signature sound demonstrates his connection to the best in the tradition of fine wake-me-up and kick-me-in-the-ass roots music.”~No Depression

Summer Songwriter Showcase at the Marco Players Theater is Produced and directed by JRobert Marco Island's own "Marco Music Man."

Celebrate the music of Florida, Marco Island, the Everglades and the 10,000 Islands, JRobert's own brand of Floribbean Fusion Music, enjoy performance reviews, CD and MP3 offerings, announcements, upcoming charity events, and the newest products and services available from Mangrove Music StudiosSTAY TUNED! click on J.Robert on Facebook

This Week's

Songwriter Jam

- featuring -

Mark Wesley

Capt Jac

Roy & Kim

J.Robert

Our purpose is to entertain and delight you with juicy tidbits, pix, new songs, memories of recent gigs, and announcements for upcoming events. Please know we NEVER want to invade your inbox with unwanted content, so PLEASE feel free to unsubscribe at any time.

Austin Church directed and produced the "Chili Shack Show" at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, TN for many years before retiring to Florida.

Jimmy Buffett recorded a song he co-wrote with Austin called "Brand New Country Star"; it appears on his album "Living and Dying in 3/4 Time". Lyle Lovett recorded a song written by Walter Hyatt, Ken Spooner, and Austin Church called "The Sheik of Sh-Boom"

Join us as another Florida songwriter takes the stage to share tales and original music. The musician will share personal stories about Florida heritage that inspired his songwriting and his musical talents.

The show includes a performance, intermission, Q & A with the musician, and jam session. Produced and directed by J.Robert.

Evening Schedule

6:30 pm - Doors Open

7:00 - 8:00 pm - Songwriter's Performance

8:00 to 8:30 pm - Intermission: Wine, Beer, Soda, and Water by Donation

Our purpose is to entertain and delight you with juicy musical tidbits, pix, new songs, memories of recent gigs, and announcements for upcoming events. Please know we NEVER want to invade your inbox with unwanted content, so PLEASE feel free to unsubscribe at any time.Phone: 239 642 7462 | Email: JRobert@JRobert.net Web:JRobert.netMangrove Music Studios

Summer Songwriter Showcase at the Marco Players Theater is Produced and directed by JRobert Marco Island's own "Marco Music Man."

Celebrate the music of Florida, Marco Island, the Everglades and the 10,000 Islands, JRobert's own brand of Floribbean Fusion Music, enjoy performance reviews, CD and MP3 offerings, announcements, upcoming charity events, and the newest products and services available from Mangrove Music StudiosSTAY TUNED! click on J.Robert on Facebook

Our purpose is to entertain and delight you with juicy tidbits, pix, new songs, memories of recent gigs, and announcements for upcoming events. Please know we NEVER want to invade your inbox with unwanted content, so PLEASE feel free to unsubscribe at any time.

Marco Island, FL – The J.Robert Florida Songwriter Showcase is a music series showcasing Florida songwriters who have composed and recorded original music. Every Monday evening, for 13 weeks, a different songwriter will take the stage to share tales and original music ranging in style from southern rock, blues and country to folk and rock ‘n roll. The evening includes a performance, cheer, Q & A with the musician, and jam session. During the shows, the musicians will share personal stories about Florida heritage that inspired their songwriting and their musical talents.

Produced and directed by J.Robert, a fourth generation ‘Floridian,’ J.Robert is a songwriter and a master fiddler who has developed friendships with many talented songwriters who reside in Florida. When asked “Why?” J.Robert said, “It’s simply my deep desire to share some of my musician friends’ marvelous talents. People will be fascinated with the perspective these writers bring to all sorts of common, everyday events. Because, It’s more than music…it’s a lifestyle!”

Show Dates

The Florida Songwriters Showcase begins June 5 and is on stage every Monday through August 28. The full line-up, evening schedule and links to more information about the songwriters are available on The Marco Players’ website. Here’s a preview of the first five songwriters:

June 5 – Raiford Starke

Outlaw artist and provocative ‘Swamp Boogie Balladeer!’

June 12 – Austin Church

Blue Bird Cafe’ mainstay with Nashville’s ‘Chilly Shack Show’

June 19 – Bob Williams

New York style Americana artist with a flair for ‘True to Heart’ ballads

June 27 – Mitch Peters

Dove Award winning songwriter and longtime Marco resident

July 3 – Rita Youngman

Seminole woman sings of Marshtackie horses and warrior heroes

The J.Robert Florida Songwriter Showcase is on stage at The Marco Players Theater, Marco Town Center Mall, 1089 N. Collier Blvd., Marco Island, FL. Advance tickets are $30 each for reserved seating and $35 at the door. Buy tickets at www.TheMarcoPlayers.com or call the box office at (239) 642-7270.

Our purpose is to entertain and delight you with juicy musical tidbits, pix, new songs, memories of recent gigs, and announcements for upcoming events. Please know we NEVER want to invade your inbox with unwanted content, so PLEASE feel free to unsubscribe at any time.

This film tells the story of the Great Florida Cattle Drive 2016, the history of Florida’s heritage cattle breed—and how they almost went extinct, and how Florida’s cow culture is being preserved for future generations. Narrated by “Western Horseman” Baxter Black. Music by Marco Island’s music man J. Robert Houghtaling and featuring multi-Grammy Award winning John McEuen from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

“The Great Florida Cattle Drive: Unbroken Circles” is a PBS documentary is to be aired statewide this February and will be presented nationally June 2017.

J.Robert’s music reflects a Florida folk tradition. J. Robert celebrates his signature sounds as a native Floridian in his CD/Soundtrack “The Great Florida Cattle Drive: Unbroken Circles” named after the new PBS documentary. The album consists of the soundtracks from the film specially remixed with song lyrics for a listening audience.

“The Great Florida Cattle Drive: Unbroken Circles” film has been picked up to be aired on all Florida Public Television stations the same week. Here is the schedule (all times Eastern unless otherwise noted):

WEDU (Tampa): 2/19, 7 pm, 2/21 11 pm

WFSU (Tallahassee): 2/23, 9 pm, 2/25 6 pm, 2/26 2 pm

WGCU (Ft. Myers): 2/20 11 pm

WJCT (Jacksonville): 2/23 8 pm

WJCT 7.4 (Jacksonville): 2/24 7 pm

WPBT (Miami): 2/19 7 pm, 2/20 11 pm

WSRE (Pensacola): 2/23 8 pm CST

WUCF (Orlando): 2/19 5 pm

WUFT (Gainesville): 2/19 5 pm, 2/22 11 pm

WXEL (South Florida): 2/24 10 pm, 3/3 4:30 pm

To pre-order copies of the book, CD and DVD visit Live Oak Production’s online store at www.liveoakproductiongroup.com/store. Books,DVDs, CDs and other merchandise will ship February 21st. If you want sign your copies of the book, please make a note in the comments section of the order page.

For booking 2017 – 2018 event presentations which will include a film screening, book signing, lecture, Florida Folk music and cowboy poetry, please e-mail at elam@liveoakproductiongroup.com or sandi@bulldogstrategygroup.com.

The 1st Annual White Pelican Festival at Smallwood Store included an inspiring pack of Florida folk singers and musicians including WMNF Florida Folk Show host, Pete Gallagher, Pat Barmore, Cindy Hackney, Valerie Wisecracker, Raiford Starke, and Seminole singer Rita Youngman. We all celebrated an eventful evening with a brand new movie about the life and adventures of Chief Jim Billie.

Our purpose is to entertain and delight you with juicy tidbits, pix, new songs, memories of recent gigs, and announcements for upcoming events. Please know we NEVER want to invade your inbox with unwanted content, so PLEASE feel free to unsubscribe at any time.